Meet Lapinlahti Dogs: Alma and Assi

The colourful community of Lapinlahden Lähde has two loyal and beloved members who have been rooted in local life from an early age on.

Alma, the older of the two, began her adventure in Lähde at the age of six months. Alma accompanies her owner Taina in groups and performs the valuable work of a therapy dog. With the nature of a herding dog, Alma makes sure that everyone is on time – no latecomers are overlooked.

A trip to the city is always an adventure for Alma, and sometimes the country bumpkin gets the better of her – and she can get rowdy as a result. Most of the time, however, Alma behaves impeccably. She is an important member of the community for many visitors to Lapinlahden Lähde.

Curious and fearless, the younger Assi has blended in unobtrusively with the life of Lähde, strengthening her position in the local community day by day. A curious adventurer, she loves going to work in the morning and always goes to greet her friend Pipa first thing. Although her days are full of work, there’s always time for a play date with Pipa.

An adventurer by nature, Assi sometimes goes off on her own – luckily, someone always finds her and brings her back safely.

The importance of Alma and Assi is not limited to their physical presence, but their personalities and presence have shaped the atmosphere and dynamics of the community. Alma’s stable and nurturing nature provides a secure pillar of support, while Assi’s sense of adventure and cheerfulness enlivens and energises the environment.

Text and photo: Veera Kontula

Read also about Alma and Assi’s human Taina Laaksoharju. (This text is available in Finnish only.)